My mom and dad acquired a pretty amazing SLR camera that allows them to capture intimate and expansive moments from their own backyard, located somewhere in the rural eastern parts of North Carolina. I have always looked forward to getting their updates of the wildlife in the area — witness the deer by the pond, above, which my folks think will be having twins — and general updates on the seasons and progress of the landscape. [Read more]
WalkScore.com’s website provides a service to those people who apparently don’t get out of their car enough to realize that they can walk (or not, if you live in certain areas) to lots of places for daily goods and services.
I like this website, namely because I’m about to move and thinking about a new city and where we can get the things we’re used to here in Polish Hill (which scored a 77 out of 100, btw): A fresh bread bakery, a good bar, a fish deli, an italian deli, an italian cafe, a great diner, a wholesale restaurant dealer, a classic 1920’s ice cream shop, a fabulous deli restaurant, several paint stores, a convenience store, several large parks, a city pool, a church, asian food markets, masseuse, yoga studios, a stipper club (I think — never been to Bare Elegance), and some cool boutiques/stores — and we don’t even live in one of the sanctioned ‘cool’ areas of Pittsburgh. [Read more]
Despite much trial and tribulation, one of the coolest Google easter eggs ever will be coming to a Firefox near you. I don’t want to spoil anything, but rather whet your appetites. Here are two photos from the making of this Google easter egg. I will not be releasing any more documentation until the thing goes live. Trust me, it will be even cooler than you think. Special thanks to redacted and redacted for putting Pittsburgh on the map. Hint Hint.
Stay tuned. We’ll be breaking this story when it goes live.
One of the greatest bars in the world, Gooski’s, here in Pittsburgh, PA is difficult to describe. It is sensory overload and sensory deprivation at the same time. The fact that it is both the brightest bar and the darkest bar in town (depending upon where you are standing), is just one of the examples of why Gooski’s is one of the most dynamic cultural epicenters that serves alcohol in Pittsburgh. Pipe fitters, sneaker peekers, punkers, and retirees all commiserate over Iron Cities and Stellas while The New York Dolls blasts from the Jukebox. Girltalk plays to a SRO crowd in the back of the bar while the locals cuss him out in the front. A free drink or a boot to the ass could be coming at any minute… and the bathrooms are a Pittsburgh graffiti Mecca. They are a glimpse of Jackson Pollock vs. Jean-Michel Basquiat that results in a seizure educing sensory overload. I have compiled a collection of bathroom graffiti after the break.
DO YOU HAVE ANY GOOSKI’S GRAF PICS? - I’LL ADD EM IF THEY’RE UP TO SNUFF
I compiled a list of places to get free backgrounds and stock imagery today for one of my clients. I have a few places that I favor, but a ton that I bookmarked and forgot about… So I’m cleaning out the closet. I am providing everyone with my favorite resources for cool free images and stuff of that nature.
You say, “But Jake, I’m not a designer, what do I need this crap for?”… And then I say “The background database is cool for skinning your myspace or facebook. The rest of the images could be wallpapers or superior clip art for presentations to make Powerpoint a little less BORING! Or other stuff as well. Trip over a few links and see where the inspiration takes you. I wouldn’t steer you WRONG!
Buckle your safety belt… The links come after the break! [Read more]
Instructables has an interesting post that talks about the best ways to lie to authority figures without getting caught. It is all about focus. Most people have a “tell” that let’s people key in on when they are lying. When I lie or I am uncomfortable, I have trouble making eye contact and I start scratching my head. It is automatic. I catch myself doing it all the time (more when I am uncomfortable than lying). My best advice is to just keep your hands at your sides (not in your pockets) and try to make eye contact, or make it look like you are making eye contact… but don’t bug your eyes or make any other remarkable facial expressions.
Russell Davies has finally come up with a competitor for iCal. It is a lightweight app that boots incredibly quickly and it can sync with all other user agents in your direct vicinity instantly - regardless of OS.
I was just watching the directors commentary on “The Prisoner” DVD, and they referenced that one of the actors went on to be the voice of Bill and Ben, The Flower Pot Men. Well, I did a little digging, and I found out that Bill and Ben, The Flower Pot Men was a British children’s television show, or a segment of a show rather, from the 60’s. It featured two marionettes that are, well, flower pot men. They babble at each other in incoherent gibberish. The whole thing is really excellent. From concept to intro music. When is Timbaland gonna sample that theme song? Only time will tell.
Great web site + great perverts = great cover are compilation. Over 1500 album covers with some sort of nudity included can be viewed. If you are an album collector / pervert like me, you have found mecca… so lay down a small carpet, kneel, face your computer screen and start praying. Be sure to poke around the site, as it is an excellent collection of cover art in general and there are many other great cover compilations. Link
Salvia, the new Mexican designer drug that has been used by Mazatec Indians for centuries to channel spirits for centuries has gotten a web 2.0 makeover. This potent hallucinogen is 100% legal almost everywhere and can be bought in highly concentrated forms online. The drug basically detaches your brain form all social constructs and makes it difficult to interpret sensory input while providing a euphoric sensation coupled with intense hallucinations. A full trip only lasts about half an hour when smoked, but the most amazing part is how quickly the effects of the drug overtake the body and mind. And the coolest part, people are tricking others in to ingesting highly concentrated doses, videotaping it, and putting it on youtube.
